CEO’s Regret After I Divorced (Serena and Ryan) novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Sophia’s ex-husband

Ryan’s POV

I stared at the photo on my phone, my blood boiling with rage. I had no idea who had sent it or why, but the image alone was enough to twist something sharp in my chest.

I couldn’t confront Serena about it—what right did I even have?

But that didn’t stop me from monitoring every sound from next door, my ears practically pressed against the wall. The only small comfort was that they’d kept the door open the entire time.

When I finally heard Julian preparing to leave, I set aside my laptop and moved to my door.

The timing had to look casual, but I wasn’t about to let him strut away without acknowledging the territory he was treading on.

Our eyes locked in the hallway. The tension was immediate, thick enough to choke on.

Julian didn’t hurry off. Instead, he gave me this smug little smile that made my fingers itch to rearrange his face.

"So you’ve moved in right next door," he observed with mock surprise. "Being closer to the water doesn’t guarantee you’ll drink first, you know."

"Still better odds than being rejected outright," I shot back.

His expression flickered. Good. Hit a nerve there.

"Since you’re already an ex-husband, maybe keep some appropriate distance?" he suggested, eyes hardening. "Serena was absolutely livid after seeing you. If I hadn’t been with her, she might have collapsed on the sidewalk with no one to help."

My jaw clenched. "You’re crossing lines, Julian."

"Serena’s single," he said with infuriating confidence. "I have every right to pursue her. Don’t think that just because she’s carrying your child you can do whatever you want."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "And I won’t back off. Not for you. Not for anyone."

We stood there, locked in silent combat, neither willing to break first. Finally, Julian turned and stepped into the elevator, leaving me staring daggers at the closing doors.

I glanced at Serena’s firmly shut door, then slammed my own with enough force to rattle the hinges.

The cold war between us stretched into days. We didn’t cross paths once, though not for lack of trying on my part.

I found myself listening for her movements, sometimes standing by my door when I heard her in the hallway, but never quite finding the right moment to "accidentally" run into her.

Meanwhile, Sophie was becoming a constant presence at headquarters, showing up with homemade meals almost daily. I refused to see her, but she wasn’t easily deterred. She’d leave the food and disappear without complaint, a patient predator biding her time.

After nearly a week of this, she changed tactics. My phone rang just past midnight as I was finishing some work at the office.

"Ryan?" Sophie’s voice came through small and frightened. "I’m scared. Someone’s following me... they keep knocking on my door."

I rubbed my temples, exhaustion washing over me. "Have you called the police?"

She let out a choked sob. "No, I—I’m afraid they’ll break in before the police arrive. Please, Ryan, I’m terrified. Could you come check? Please?"

I hesitated, and in that moment, a scream pierced through the phone, followed by Sophie’s panicked voice:

"Who are you? Get out!"

Then the line went dead.

Damn it. I grabbed my coat and rushed out, speeding all the way to her apartment. Whatever our past, I couldn’t ignore someone potentially in danger.

As her story unfolded, I pieced together the narrative she was spinning.

"I understand," I said finally, gently extracting my arm from her grip. "You can’t stay at your place now. I’ll arrange new accommodations for you tomorrow."

She nodded frantically, still looking thoroughly rattled.

"You can stay at a hotel tonight," I suggested.

"No!" Her eyes widened in fresh panic. "He’ll find me! He could be watching right now from somewhere, tracking my movements."

She shuddered visibly, and I sighed.

"What do you suggest then?"

"Take me to your family home," she pleaded. "I promise I won’t be any trouble. If he finds me again, I’ll never see you again—he’ll drag me away forever!"

I hesitated for a long time while Sophie continued her soft weeping, looking utterly helpless and broken.

Against my better judgment, I finally relented. "Let’s go."

And so Sophie got her wish, moving into the Blackwood mansion that same night.

Though I placed her in a guest room on the first floor, far from my quarters, she seemed perfectly satisfied.

Exhaustion hit me like a wave as I gave the staff brief instructions before heading upstairs.